Our scripture this week is John 3:1-17.
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
John 3:13-15
Jesus goes directly to the most important point of His lesson to Nicodemus – “that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him” (v. 15). He has moved to the heavenly things He spoke of before in order to reach out to the Pharisee, that Nicodemus may see God’s law is love and obedience, not merely petty rules to be scrupulously obeyed and used to shame others.
Jesus tells him that “the Son of Man must be lifted up”, an indication of the Crucifixion and Ascension to come. We are called to continue to lift Him up as our Savior and example, living as He taught us and sharing the Good News with everyone.
Nicodemus may not have understood immediately, but as scripture tells us he was there for Jesus later (John 19). We may not comprehend everything Jesus has to teach at once, but He tells us faithful persistence will allow us to learn.
Gracious God, we fumble for human knowledge which won’t make us wise and power that can’t save us. Help us to see Your love and truth embodied in Jesus and become the people You intend us to be. Amen.